Agenda item

To receive a report on the actions taken by Childrens’ Services and HR to recruit and manage permanent staff.

The Committee received the Social Work – Recruitment and Retention report which was set out in agenda pages 29-32. 

Lisa Humphreys addressed the Committee stating that Social Worker recruitment and retention remained a high priority for the service.  She reported that the workforce was currently stable, with more than 80% of permanent staff with tenure of 18 months or more.

Councillor Batth asked if the workforce stability was still considered a challenge.  Lisa explained that it was important to maintain this as priority and to continue offering incentives such as work life balance, competitive pay and benefits in order to retain and recruit Social Workers.  Lisa also stated that the pool of recruitment was very small in the area.  Judith Ramsden confirmed that the situation could rapidly change if this was not considered a priority.  It was important to note that Wokingham teams were very small, if only two people left there would be a significant impact on percentages.

Councillor Younis stated that Social Worker recruitment and retention was a challenge for other Local Authorities too, and that the market was competitive.  He stated that this situation was unlikely to change.

Councillor Blumenthal asked how Wokingham compared to its neighbours.  Lisa Humphreys stated that an 80% permanency in staff workforce was the national expectation.  However, it took a lot of effort to keep this figure.

Councillor Blumenthal noted that the service used the ‘Step Up’ programme in partnership with Winchester University and asked why Reading University was not being used.  Lisa explained that there were various pathways to becoming a Social Worker and the Winchester University’s ‘Step Up’ course was nationally recognized for its quality of training.  It had been useful for Wokingham to partner with Hampshire who was a national pilot and in favour with the Department of Education around learning and development of Social Work training.  Hampshire had organised the partnership for the south coast and Wokingham had benefited from some of their resources.

Lisa stated that the service was considering expanding the partnership with Bucks University which also focused on the Step Up programme in this area.  Reading University offered Social Work training but did not have a recognised Step Up programme.

Lisa explained that the Step Up programme was for post graduate students who had demonstrated academic ability and also vocational intention.

In response to a question Lisa stated that nine students were being supported by Wokingham this year, not all were ‘Step Up’ students.

In response to a question Lisa stated that there was no intention at the moment to recruit Social Workers from Australia, the focus was on developing a progression programme and improving retention.

Councillor Younis asked if Officers expected an impact on the workforce as a result of Brexit.  Judith Ramsden stated that there could be a ‘pinch point’ and it was important to be aware of that.

RESOLVED That the report containing information on the actions taken by Children’s Social Care and HR to manage the workforce and recruit staff permanently be noted.